Store Development Team Manager - American Freight

American Freight is currently seeking a Store Development Team Manager to lead a team of full time AF Associates and temporary labor with fixturing and merchandising New Stores and Open Stores as needed.  The ideal candidate will be proficient in Microsoft Office and be able to produce reports and corporate level presentations.  This position requires 100% Travel and ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.  Prior experience as a Warehouse Associate and Project Management in retail is preferred.

Who We Are:

Great home furnishings—and great careers—start at American Freight. Founded in 1994, today we have 370 direct-to-consumer, warehouse-style stores. As one of the fastest-growing US retailers specializing in furniture, mattresses, and appliances, now is the perfect time to join our team of more than 3,200 employees. We foster an inclusive culture and work hard to retain top talent. Our focus on promoting from within has led to hundreds of internal advancements into management and leadership positions. In the past three years we’ve opened nearly 200 American Freight stores, with more to come in the days ahead. Our story is still unfolding, come grow with us!

Who You Are:
A motivated self-starter, with excellent interpersonal skills and strong organizational skills as well as time management capabilities. The qualified candidate will be detail oriented, able to handle multiple projects simultaneously and is extremely professional. This individual should have problem-solving skills and the ability to work with other support groups to resolve issues with innovative solutions. Excellent internal and external customer service, and the ability to work and communicate with all associates daily, occasionally including senior leaders

Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings and/or weekends when necessary. This role will report to the Director, Merchandise Operations & Store Development.

What You’ll Do:

• Manages and organizes complex projects in the field through a combined group of 2-6 AF traveling Associates, Store Associates and temporary labor.
• Schedule travel for self and others, who are coming from and going to various cities and states for opening of new stores and special assignments, including oversight of issued credit cards and related reports.  Verify accuracy of travel reports, including compliance with Corporate Policy.
• Responsible for unloading/loading trucks of merchandise, assembling as needed and setting entire new store space according to Merchandise Floor Plan and to Model Store Guide Standards.
• Source, Onboard, Manage and train a diverse high-performance team through KPIs and financial metrics.  Leads by example to ensure performance standards are achieved. 
• Sources temporary labor via established vendors, using their apps to schedule, monitor and pay Invoices.  Includes all aspects of managing temps to perform warehouse duties.
• Partners with District Manager and Store Director during the New Store opening process to deliver a fully merchandised, fixtured and operational store.
• Manages the store opening or closing process for assigned stores and other projects to open/complete on or before their timeline date.
• Assure all supplies, merchandise and IT items are received timely.  Complete and follow up on a Punch List.
• Sets up store computer systems so they are functional and ready for business.
• Provides store progress reports to home office and field team including photo verification/documentation upon arrival, during set-up and upon final completion of projects.
• Completes paperwork related to merchandise from trucks iPad/or equivalent to ensure data integrity of inventory control and preventing inventory shrinkage.
• Partners with other functional areas, such as Logistics, Merchandising and Asset Protection. Communicates well with various levels and functional areas within the organization.

• Is responsible for and acts as a role model within the unit for performance and behavior of all associates; holding them accountable for the Code of Conduct and overall business practices. Includes, reporting performance/behavioral issues and assisting in action plans to improve performance in a timely manner.
• Monitors and assures compliance to safety guidelines for all team members, both AF Associates and temporary labor.
• Lead team on developing and implementing techniques and methods of process control that will increase operational efficiencies. Be an innovator by constantly looking for opportunities to suggest solutions for cost savings and process improvements.

• Ensure proper recording of labor hours for each associate, entering them into UGK for each site.

• Prepare a budget for each new store and special project and prepare an overview of costs and trend analysis.
• Prepare and follow up with a Punch list including items that did not go as scheduled.

• 100% Travel to new stores, exiting stores and other facilities; ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of Excel, MS Word and Outlook 

• Performs other duties as assigned

• Must have a valid Driver’s License.

Our ideal candidate:

• Experience: 3-5 Years of Related Experience or previous experience as a Warehouse Associate/Project Management working with retail.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Knowledge of OSHA and other environmental regulations

• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• High energy, positive outlook and can work collaboratively across departments.
• Proficient at Excel and MS Word 

• Overall computer literacy and are comfortable with technology.

• Must be able to lift at least 75 lbs.

• Strong leadership, coaching, and associate development skills
• Strong drive for results
• Knowledge of retail business and store operations

What we offer:

• Competitive pay to include salary plus commissions / bonuses.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401k, PTO.
• The opportunity to be a key driver of the growth and success of a fast-growing organization that can offer upward mobility based on performance.

COMPENSATION:

As required by multiple state pay transparency laws, American Freight provides a reasonable range of compensation for each job posting. Actual compensation is influenced by an array of factors including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, and cultural fit. The range of starting pay for this role is $70,000 to 75,000 per year.

American Freight is an equal opportunity employer. We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, separation, recruitment, pay and other forms of compensation, access to facilities and programs, training and general treatment during employment.